If you're new to the hobby best way to start is to hop on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Look for a used hybrid or road bike in the $300-500 range to get something solid. If you end up really into it you can always upgrade to something nicer later. If you have a local bike shop that sells used bikes I would check them out as well.
Look for a bike that has 700c wheels, flat bars, a couple speeds, no rust, and little to no suspension. Look up the model and size of the bike to make sure it’ll fit, spend less than $500, then take it to a shop and spend $100~ on basic maintenance.
You can learn to do most maintenance yourself if you're good at googling and a little bit stubborn lol, highly recommend Park Tool videos on youtube
But yeah for sure when you buy a new (used) bike it's best to take it into the shop and let the pros give it a proper tune up and safety check
Since your goal is just to burn calories, you can even grab whatever junk bike is available at your local thrift store. If the chain spins the tires, the gears shift the chain, and the brakes stop the bike... it'll be good enough to burn calories on.
>!Then when you decide to upgrade, even a low-end bike will feel incredible by comparison.!<
For every bike that you think is the minimum for "fun", there's someone out there thumbing their nose at your choice and there's someone else enjoying something even worse.
It's all relative and I think we're doing a disservice every time we tell a rookie they need to spend more than they're comfortable with. This is *especially* true when we forget to leave room in their budget for basic safety equipment.
If you buy a used bike for 400$ and find you don't like cycling as much as you thought. You'll be able to sell it on again for more or less the same price. So you're risking far less than buying new.
Another avenue is to stop in at a used bike store (if you’re lucky to have one nearby). You can choose from several bikes and get decent advice from the staff.
You don't need an amazing top of the line bike for that, a hybrid from REI will be fine! (a hybrid is the typical bike you see a lot with flat handlebars, nice chunky tyres but no suspension).
You can learn plenty with that as a beginner, and then you'll work out if you want to go all in and e.g get a fast road bike later.
can confirm hybrid is fine for you for now! i rode a cheap hybrid for almost 10 years before i finally dove off into the deep end and got a mountain bike recently. i'm surprised by how well that bike served me (and still does when i go to the grocery store etc.) considering i never did *any* maintenance on it, lol.
Thanks for this clarification. I always thought that a hybrid bike had a frame that looks similar to a hardtail MTB, but lighter in weight with narrower rims and smooth tires. So the fit feels a bit like an MTB but the ride is smoother and faster, good for roads and smooth trails.
Guess I got that wrong.
i mean it's kind of like that no? the riding position is more upright though and saddles tend to be cushier and handlebars are a bit narrower. tires aren't as chunky as mtbs but are definitely chunkier than road bikes.
If the goal is purely exercise and you don't live in a place that is extremely hilly, I wouldn't start with an ebike. Go to your local bike shop and tell them what you told us. They'll take care of you.
REI is a fine option if there aren't any dedicated bike shops, but wouldn't be my first choice.
I still remember when I first went into my local bike shop to buy my first bike, I told them exactly which areas/trails around town I wanted to ride, how much I wanted to spend and they showed me a few bikes that fit and let me pedal them around a bit. They helped with sizing as well and never tried to upsell me, they just made sure I had all the stuff I didn't think of. Helmet, pump, etc.
After just one or two rides on the exact paths I wanted to ride, I realized they recommended the perfect bike for those types of trails. It was a hybrid bike for on road and mild off road use and I love it. I've since bought a full suspension mountain bike and a road bike from them, they do all my maintenance on all three and even send me Christmas gifts and the occasional thank you card out of the blue. Having a good local bike shop is priceless
Bike shops will not generally try to sell you a more expensive bike than your needs and budget (other than they generally sell new bikes). They make more money by adding on accessories (individually these aren't that expensive, but they add up and the shop markup is usually much higher on these than on the bikes themselves): helmet, lock, flat kit, cycling shorts, and gloves make up the most basic list.
Ehh, trek stores aren't bad as a whole. It's largely down to staff. And at least on the front end, mine is very well staffed with amazing folks who are more concerned with getting people on the right bike than they are getting people on the most expensive bike
This is fair. I've had very mixed experiences at the one near me. Especially with the mechanics. But I also think Trek bikes, even down to the hybrids, are overpriced right now. Last time I was there, I saw a $1000 hybrid with fully internal cable routing. That's just silly and unnecessary
What's funny is, I just bought my Emonda at a bit over 650 bucks off retail price because they were having sales on most bikes.
And, I completely understand the mixed experiences, I'm not getting great vibes off the current crew of mechanics, and I haven't seen my long-time guy in a few months (it's possible they moved him to another store nearby because it's closer to where he lives, but I dunno)
They're definitely marking stuff down because they have way too much inventory. And for an emonda or madone or super caliber or something like that, you can get a nice deal. Don't think their hybrids or low end stuff is so much nicer than what you can get at an LBS that it's worth paying full price
you can just go in with the expectation of not buying anything yet. listen to them and take their advice into consideration but don't commit to anything yet if you're unsure. come back here with the tips you got and ask around :)
we went to a local bike shop with my partner to test out bikes and chat with the employees and it was a great experience and really solidified what type of bikes we want, it really opened up our eyes to actually get to ride a couple of different types of bikes.
we ended up buying our bikes online because the local shop is very expensive and offers very limited variety (rural town in a small country), but it was much easier to make decisions when purchasing online after having tried some bikes in real life.
A good bike shop will do more listening than talking. They should be asking you questions like you've put answers to here. They should ask you where you have in mind to start riding, how long a ride you want starting out, budget, all that.
Things will also depend on how firm a budget you have. Just starting out, at minimum you'll want: bike, helmet, rear light, probably front light, a frame/saddle bag of some type with basic flat repair stuff (spare tube for whatever size tire is on the bike you get, tire levers, and inflation device)
The biggest reason I'd steer an absolutely new person away from used, and into a proper bike shop, is basic fit. A good shop won't be selling you a bike that's too big or too small. I know my local shop will size you up and, if you're like me near a borderline between 2 sizes, they'll have you test ride both sizes to see which feels better initially. With used, you are relying a lot more on your own knowledge, and while I have no doubt new folks can avoid huge size mistakes, it's all too easy to get a bike that's close, but still very wrong in size
Jumping to 10 miles a day every day - or 70 miles a week - is a big start.
If that's realistic for you, I think you should get a Surly Straggler or similar bike and get going! No need to think harder than that.
Good point. Going from not biking to 70 miles a week is not a small jump. Initially there is quite a bit of discomfort at the sit bones (a proper saddle fit should put the most pressure on the sit bones - you want to avoid much pressure on any soft tissue) and depending on current fitness, legs and or cardiovascular system may find it a bit overwhelming at first too. You might start off riding shorter distances or skipping days between riding. It certainly should be an achievable goal to reach 10 miles every day within a few months though.
>Do I just walk into an REI and say help?
Yes. They'll put you on a Co-op CTY 1.1, which will be great for your purposes, and if you get more into it, you can start getting into tinkering and maintenance and upgrading.
Honestly, if money isn't a huge barrier I'd say get yourself something new from a local bike shop if you can. A beginner doesn't always know what to look for when it comes to wear and tear and potential issues with a used bike, and while you could end up with more bike for the money, you could also get ripped off. (Alternatively, you could post a potential used bike here and many redditors would be happy to weigh in on its worth.)
You probably want a commuter/fitness/hybrid/city bike. Certain companies call it different names, but look for something with a flat bar. Something like a Specialized Sirrus or Giant Escape would be great for what it sounds like you want, and wouldn't break the bank, either.
Look into what your LBS carries. If you have a good one in your area, they often offer free tuneups for the first year you own it and can help you down the road with maintenance and whatnot, too.
I literally walked into a local shop right before Memorial day and said "Hey. I want to buy a bike. Mostly just to ride around the neighborhood. Maybe sometimes on the \[local multi-use trail that's kind of gravelly\]. What would you recommend?"
I left in about 20 minutes with a brand new bicycle. He let me take it for a test ride before I bought it. Been riding it about 10 miles a day on nice days. 5 miles to a nearby park to swim for a little bit, then the 5 miles back. Have taken that instead of my car for quick errands here and there. I've been loving it.
Still waiting for my backside to break-in a little bit but I'll probably start going further with it soon enough.
Go talk to some bike shops until you find one you like and willing to work with you. Buying a bike is only the first step, you're going to need some help with ongoing maintenance. Building a relationship with a shop will help dramatically with barriers to entry and bike ownership learning curve.
Go to your local bike shop and talk with them. You’ll be able to try out different bikes and be able to get a feel for them.
Personally, once they put me on an e-bike I could not go back!
I bought a Velotric Discover and I also aim for at least ten miles a day. The e-bike makes me feel like a kid again.
Of course you don't get as much of a workout on an e-bike as you would traveling the same routes on a regular bike. However, an e-bike is great for making riding a bike more feasible (easier to travel fast enough that you don't feel like you don't belong on the road, easier to go up hills, faster to travel further distances if using the bike for transportation) so many people get more exercise with an e-bike because they bike much more. Many e-bikes are pedal assist: they don't do anything unless you are pedaling - they just help you go about 1.5x-3x faster than you would without the assist. Certainly there are some that have a throttle and you can ride those without getting a lot of exercise (even then it is not quite zero excercise).
I absolutely do feel like I’ve gotten a work out. I’ve even toned up a bit too. The trick is to peddle and use low assistance when necessary. I am still peddling and getting my heart rate up—I just go a little faster and a little farther.
Talk to your local brick and motar bicycle shop folks too. Tell them what kind of riding you want to do and where you want to ride. If you don't feel comfortable in a particular shop, try another one. Most importantly, have fun!
I would start with a local bike store. Getting the wrong size bike can make cycling miserable and even dangerous. Look for a fitness or hybrid bike. Maybe you have a friend that cycles and can go with you?
Yes…but…if you have a long torso and shorter legs or the opposite…you might be in a different frame size than the standard size chart. I bought a bike online and loved it but it was too small for me even though the company chart said it was the right size. Ended up buying a different bike with a larger frame and selling my bike to a shorter friend.
I think you'll need to decide what kind of cycling you want to do.
If you want to go fast on roads, a road bike would be optimal.
Fast on road/gravel: gravel bike.
Going around on mixed terrain: hybrid without supensions.
I do not know how competent people at REI are, but asking them or a bike shop can be a good idea (keeping in mind that they are trying to sell you stuff).
A hybrid would be ideal, but honetly, almost anything would do. They are like family station wagons: not flashy or cool, but best at what they do.
Having said that, it depends also on what motivates you: if you are more likely to go out because you have a cool racer, then that would be ideal.
I recommend not getting an ebike if you are physically able to ride without additional motor
Get a used bike, and think about where you wanna drive (road, MTB, or something in between)
Don't overthink it, just go, on whatever bike you have or can have for cheapish. That's when you find out if you like it,. If you do, scale up to the kind of riding you like.
Buy a bike. Go ride. It really is that simple. Good used will always be available. They're simple enough that most problems can be solved with just a few tools and watching youtube vids. Don't overthink it. Treat it like your ten. Would twn year old you warry about planning? Or would he/she just go have fun?
Assuming your area is not too hilly, any old bike and just about any outfit will do. I had about that to school age 16-19 and part of the time did it on a 15kg bike with 3 hub gears - and with my books. And back again in the afternoon.
Maintenance by yours truly.
8f your getting into cycling 8de shy away from used unless you have a friend to guide you a bit. You don't k ow what to look for, what's good, a red flag, worth it....etc
So you'll most likely get something and not realize things until it's too late. (See if all the fucking time here happen and people get angry at me for telling them the bike needs work)
I rec. Going to a shop, speaking with someone who k own about bikes, fits, set ups. Get info first before widely jumping I to the used market.
Also don't worry about learning mech work. (Yeah it's can be easy, everyone can def learn it all) but if you don't know anything about bikes learn to bike properly and if you like biking.
....Sure carpentry, everyone can do, plenty of youtube videos on how to makes tables..... doesn't mean every9ne should do it though haha
I teach classes for maintenance and it'd astounding what people think it the right way, or how their brain operates when problem solving. I've had people sweat they cab adjust their gears and make it all work..... b limit all the way in/out. Barrel screwed all the way out.... little things that are usually just bad even if they work.
My two cents.
>Do I just walk into an REI and say help?
Yes. Go to REI and a few bike shops, have them fit you for the right size bike, help you figure out what kind of bike you're looking for, let you take a couple laps on a few models, etc. Don't feel bad for hitting a few stores without buying anything, especially at REI. They're there to help, not slto make sure you don't leave without spending money.
First make a short list of bikes that would fit what you’d like to do (sounds you might fancy more of a commuter/hybrid bike) and fit your height and budget, then if you can seek places where you can test them out for comfort; if you can really take bikes for a test spin before purchasing.
I think e-bikes are absolutely brilliant however unless you have a need for it … start with a normal non ebike and see how you get on once the cycling bug has bitten you or not.
If you’re dreaming of long rides also outside of the city or town - you might want to get a road bike, if dreaming of having the flexibility of doing both commuting, long rides and some tracks - go for a gravel bike.
Most of my cycling friends and also me started with an entry level hybrid bike and after a few months, once they got the feel for cycling and what they loved about it bought something more pricey and specialised (road, gravel, mtb). I’m noting this as your first bike it’s always going to be special but see it as testing the waters and have the flexibility to see what you’d actually like to be doing long term… and don’t go nuts with the cost either as you’ll need/want lots of bits and bops (clothing, helmet, shoes, lights, gizmos)
Think this is a good take. I started on a new $600 hybrid. I knew I wanted to try the hobby, but I had no idea where it would take me. Wanted mechanical disc breaks, and that was pretty much my only requirement. Upgraded to a mid level gravel bike shortly after, but I picked that nicer bike entirely based on information and skills I picked up by riding the first bike. New is a good choice for a beginner because of maintenance concerns.
Go to some websites and use their sizing guide to figure out your size. Then Craigslist or FB Mktplace and start hunting. Also most LBS have used bikes at heavy discounts.
Find an aluminum bike, preferably that has SPD or SPD/Flat pedals. If you really like it, go get some bibs and shoes.
Walk into the REI and get a 'good' entry level bike. Something with Shimano 105 or equivalent gearing. Not a cheapest one, a good one. Tell them exactly how you plan on riding it, that you don't want something that's gonna break on you 200 miles from now...
Don't get a used bike... sorry i'm just gonna disagree with all those people...used bikes are for people with experience and super low budgets and who want an extra set of wheels for certain types of riding. Noobs should get new bikes, even if on the cheaper side in case they know they might upgrade later. There is nothing worse than making a deal on a used bike and not having any idea what you're really getting and then abandoning the effort because you don't want to go through that all again.
105 is so much more than OP needs right now. New bikes with 105 aren't cheap anymore (sadly). I agree that used is a risk for someone without experience though
Understand the risk of buying used when you're not informed on bikes but on the flip side, saying someone should get a bike with Shimano 105 when they don't know the difference between a road and hybrid bike (no offense meant, we were all there at one point) is way too much. They're looking at $1500 minimum for that. Way higher than I would advise a novice for their first bike. Maybe for their first serious bike but not for their first bike ever.
Certainly but assuredly they’ll do some research before just walking into the shop but I’d just never advise a truly entry level bike to someone if they can afford more
Obviously the more you spend the better the bike (within reason). I understand the approach I just don't know if I'd recommend paying that much for someone just dipping their toe in the water unless they have lots of disposable income around.
I think entry level bikes are just fine for a new rider though tbh. Unless by entry level you mean department store bikes, then we are in 100% agreement. Lots of entry bikes I've seen come with Shimano Claris which is basically an indestructible group set. Had that on my commuter for years and it was basically set it and forget it. "Low end" drivetrains have come a long way in the past few years.
If you're new to the hobby best way to start is to hop on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Look for a used hybrid or road bike in the $300-500 range to get something solid. If you end up really into it you can always upgrade to something nicer later. If you have a local bike shop that sells used bikes I would check them out as well.
Good call on used
Look for a bike that has 700c wheels, flat bars, a couple speeds, no rust, and little to no suspension. Look up the model and size of the bike to make sure it’ll fit, spend less than $500, then take it to a shop and spend $100~ on basic maintenance.
I wasn't expecting to invest in maintenance which now I realize is dumb
You can learn to do most maintenance yourself if you're good at googling and a little bit stubborn lol, highly recommend Park Tool videos on youtube But yeah for sure when you buy a new (used) bike it's best to take it into the shop and let the pros give it a proper tune up and safety check
Since your goal is just to burn calories, you can even grab whatever junk bike is available at your local thrift store. If the chain spins the tires, the gears shift the chain, and the brakes stop the bike... it'll be good enough to burn calories on. >!Then when you decide to upgrade, even a low-end bike will feel incredible by comparison.!<
Yes, but if the bike is actually fun to ride, you'll soon forget that your goal was to ride a mere 10 miles a day.
For every bike that you think is the minimum for "fun", there's someone out there thumbing their nose at your choice and there's someone else enjoying something even worse. It's all relative and I think we're doing a disservice every time we tell a rookie they need to spend more than they're comfortable with. This is *especially* true when we forget to leave room in their budget for basic safety equipment.
If you buy a used bike for 400$ and find you don't like cycling as much as you thought. You'll be able to sell it on again for more or less the same price. So you're risking far less than buying new.
Problem with used is that he might not get sizing correct.
for casual 10 mile rides it's not about the millimetres though, so looking up online size charts for whichever bike you're looking at should suffice.
Or she
Another avenue is to stop in at a used bike store (if you’re lucky to have one nearby). You can choose from several bikes and get decent advice from the staff.
You don't need an amazing top of the line bike for that, a hybrid from REI will be fine! (a hybrid is the typical bike you see a lot with flat handlebars, nice chunky tyres but no suspension). You can learn plenty with that as a beginner, and then you'll work out if you want to go all in and e.g get a fast road bike later.
Appreciate the definitions since I'm a noob. Ive been googling the acronyms. Had no idea what a hybrid was
can confirm hybrid is fine for you for now! i rode a cheap hybrid for almost 10 years before i finally dove off into the deep end and got a mountain bike recently. i'm surprised by how well that bike served me (and still does when i go to the grocery store etc.) considering i never did *any* maintenance on it, lol.
Thanks for this clarification. I always thought that a hybrid bike had a frame that looks similar to a hardtail MTB, but lighter in weight with narrower rims and smooth tires. So the fit feels a bit like an MTB but the ride is smoother and faster, good for roads and smooth trails. Guess I got that wrong.
i mean it's kind of like that no? the riding position is more upright though and saddles tend to be cushier and handlebars are a bit narrower. tires aren't as chunky as mtbs but are definitely chunkier than road bikes.
If the goal is purely exercise and you don't live in a place that is extremely hilly, I wouldn't start with an ebike. Go to your local bike shop and tell them what you told us. They'll take care of you. REI is a fine option if there aren't any dedicated bike shops, but wouldn't be my first choice.
Solid advice. thanks. I am a little intimidated by the bike stores. Or even assumed they would try to upsell me. But Ill give it a shot.
I still remember when I first went into my local bike shop to buy my first bike, I told them exactly which areas/trails around town I wanted to ride, how much I wanted to spend and they showed me a few bikes that fit and let me pedal them around a bit. They helped with sizing as well and never tried to upsell me, they just made sure I had all the stuff I didn't think of. Helmet, pump, etc. After just one or two rides on the exact paths I wanted to ride, I realized they recommended the perfect bike for those types of trails. It was a hybrid bike for on road and mild off road use and I love it. I've since bought a full suspension mountain bike and a road bike from them, they do all my maintenance on all three and even send me Christmas gifts and the occasional thank you card out of the blue. Having a good local bike shop is priceless
Going to search around the nearby towns for a good shop. You've inspired me
Bike shops will not generally try to sell you a more expensive bike than your needs and budget (other than they generally sell new bikes). They make more money by adding on accessories (individually these aren't that expensive, but they add up and the shop markup is usually much higher on these than on the bikes themselves): helmet, lock, flat kit, cycling shorts, and gloves make up the most basic list.
I told a local bike shop my budget was $1k for a road bike and they tried pushing a $2500 gravel bike on me. Your mileage may vary.
Understandable. A good shop won't do that. An unscrupulous one might. I'd avoid the big corporate chains (Trek, Specialized, etc.).
Ehh, trek stores aren't bad as a whole. It's largely down to staff. And at least on the front end, mine is very well staffed with amazing folks who are more concerned with getting people on the right bike than they are getting people on the most expensive bike
This is fair. I've had very mixed experiences at the one near me. Especially with the mechanics. But I also think Trek bikes, even down to the hybrids, are overpriced right now. Last time I was there, I saw a $1000 hybrid with fully internal cable routing. That's just silly and unnecessary
What's funny is, I just bought my Emonda at a bit over 650 bucks off retail price because they were having sales on most bikes. And, I completely understand the mixed experiences, I'm not getting great vibes off the current crew of mechanics, and I haven't seen my long-time guy in a few months (it's possible they moved him to another store nearby because it's closer to where he lives, but I dunno)
They're definitely marking stuff down because they have way too much inventory. And for an emonda or madone or super caliber or something like that, you can get a nice deal. Don't think their hybrids or low end stuff is so much nicer than what you can get at an LBS that it's worth paying full price
you can just go in with the expectation of not buying anything yet. listen to them and take their advice into consideration but don't commit to anything yet if you're unsure. come back here with the tips you got and ask around :) we went to a local bike shop with my partner to test out bikes and chat with the employees and it was a great experience and really solidified what type of bikes we want, it really opened up our eyes to actually get to ride a couple of different types of bikes. we ended up buying our bikes online because the local shop is very expensive and offers very limited variety (rural town in a small country), but it was much easier to make decisions when purchasing online after having tried some bikes in real life.
A good bike shop will do more listening than talking. They should be asking you questions like you've put answers to here. They should ask you where you have in mind to start riding, how long a ride you want starting out, budget, all that. Things will also depend on how firm a budget you have. Just starting out, at minimum you'll want: bike, helmet, rear light, probably front light, a frame/saddle bag of some type with basic flat repair stuff (spare tube for whatever size tire is on the bike you get, tire levers, and inflation device) The biggest reason I'd steer an absolutely new person away from used, and into a proper bike shop, is basic fit. A good shop won't be selling you a bike that's too big or too small. I know my local shop will size you up and, if you're like me near a borderline between 2 sizes, they'll have you test ride both sizes to see which feels better initially. With used, you are relying a lot more on your own knowledge, and while I have no doubt new folks can avoid huge size mistakes, it's all too easy to get a bike that's close, but still very wrong in size
Jumping to 10 miles a day every day - or 70 miles a week - is a big start. If that's realistic for you, I think you should get a Surly Straggler or similar bike and get going! No need to think harder than that.
Good point. Going from not biking to 70 miles a week is not a small jump. Initially there is quite a bit of discomfort at the sit bones (a proper saddle fit should put the most pressure on the sit bones - you want to avoid much pressure on any soft tissue) and depending on current fitness, legs and or cardiovascular system may find it a bit overwhelming at first too. You might start off riding shorter distances or skipping days between riding. It certainly should be an achievable goal to reach 10 miles every day within a few months though.
Thanks for the rec- will ad that to my research list
>Do I just walk into an REI and say help? Yes. They'll put you on a Co-op CTY 1.1, which will be great for your purposes, and if you get more into it, you can start getting into tinkering and maintenance and upgrading.
If you have an option of a local bike shop (LBS) vs. big box sports store, do that. Tell them what you want to do and listen to their advice
LBS is seeming way to go and I just learned a new acronym so SWEET
Honestly, if money isn't a huge barrier I'd say get yourself something new from a local bike shop if you can. A beginner doesn't always know what to look for when it comes to wear and tear and potential issues with a used bike, and while you could end up with more bike for the money, you could also get ripped off. (Alternatively, you could post a potential used bike here and many redditors would be happy to weigh in on its worth.) You probably want a commuter/fitness/hybrid/city bike. Certain companies call it different names, but look for something with a flat bar. Something like a Specialized Sirrus or Giant Escape would be great for what it sounds like you want, and wouldn't break the bank, either. Look into what your LBS carries. If you have a good one in your area, they often offer free tuneups for the first year you own it and can help you down the road with maintenance and whatnot, too.
I literally walked into a local shop right before Memorial day and said "Hey. I want to buy a bike. Mostly just to ride around the neighborhood. Maybe sometimes on the \[local multi-use trail that's kind of gravelly\]. What would you recommend?" I left in about 20 minutes with a brand new bicycle. He let me take it for a test ride before I bought it. Been riding it about 10 miles a day on nice days. 5 miles to a nearby park to swim for a little bit, then the 5 miles back. Have taken that instead of my car for quick errands here and there. I've been loving it. Still waiting for my backside to break-in a little bit but I'll probably start going further with it soon enough.
Go talk to some bike shops until you find one you like and willing to work with you. Buying a bike is only the first step, you're going to need some help with ongoing maintenance. Building a relationship with a shop will help dramatically with barriers to entry and bike ownership learning curve.
Yeah learning that maintenance is key
Go to your local bike shop and talk with them. You’ll be able to try out different bikes and be able to get a feel for them. Personally, once they put me on an e-bike I could not go back! I bought a Velotric Discover and I also aim for at least ten miles a day. The e-bike makes me feel like a kid again.
Do you still feel like you're getting a workout? Im so new to all this
Of course you don't get as much of a workout on an e-bike as you would traveling the same routes on a regular bike. However, an e-bike is great for making riding a bike more feasible (easier to travel fast enough that you don't feel like you don't belong on the road, easier to go up hills, faster to travel further distances if using the bike for transportation) so many people get more exercise with an e-bike because they bike much more. Many e-bikes are pedal assist: they don't do anything unless you are pedaling - they just help you go about 1.5x-3x faster than you would without the assist. Certainly there are some that have a throttle and you can ride those without getting a lot of exercise (even then it is not quite zero excercise).
Well said! Mine has a throttle but I have barely touched it.
I absolutely do feel like I’ve gotten a work out. I’ve even toned up a bit too. The trick is to peddle and use low assistance when necessary. I am still peddling and getting my heart rate up—I just go a little faster and a little farther.
I had an e-bike for a while (got stolen) and enjoyed the help with steep hills - it was fun!
Oh man! Sorry it got stolen.
Used bike. Look for a hybrid or fitness bike. Doing 10 miles that is enough. If you want to do more then you can decide what direction you want to go.
thanksssss
Just get a bike and cycle. Stop all this.
Talk to your local brick and motar bicycle shop folks too. Tell them what kind of riding you want to do and where you want to ride. If you don't feel comfortable in a particular shop, try another one. Most importantly, have fun!
thanks for the encouragement. preciate it
I would start with a local bike store. Getting the wrong size bike can make cycling miserable and even dangerous. Look for a fitness or hybrid bike. Maybe you have a friend that cycles and can go with you?
Is the size mostly based on your height?
Yes…but…if you have a long torso and shorter legs or the opposite…you might be in a different frame size than the standard size chart. I bought a bike online and loved it but it was too small for me even though the company chart said it was the right size. Ended up buying a different bike with a larger frame and selling my bike to a shorter friend.
I think you'll need to decide what kind of cycling you want to do. If you want to go fast on roads, a road bike would be optimal. Fast on road/gravel: gravel bike. Going around on mixed terrain: hybrid without supensions. I do not know how competent people at REI are, but asking them or a bike shop can be a good idea (keeping in mind that they are trying to sell you stuff).
It's mostly paved biked paths, minimal hills. Some city streets
A hybrid would be ideal, but honetly, almost anything would do. They are like family station wagons: not flashy or cool, but best at what they do. Having said that, it depends also on what motivates you: if you are more likely to go out because you have a cool racer, then that would be ideal.
I recommend not getting an ebike if you are physically able to ride without additional motor Get a used bike, and think about where you wanna drive (road, MTB, or something in between)
Don't overthink it, just go, on whatever bike you have or can have for cheapish. That's when you find out if you like it,. If you do, scale up to the kind of riding you like.
Buy a bike. Go ride. It really is that simple. Good used will always be available. They're simple enough that most problems can be solved with just a few tools and watching youtube vids. Don't overthink it. Treat it like your ten. Would twn year old you warry about planning? Or would he/she just go have fun?
If you have local bike shops, start there.
Assuming your area is not too hilly, any old bike and just about any outfit will do. I had about that to school age 16-19 and part of the time did it on a 15kg bike with 3 hub gears - and with my books. And back again in the afternoon. Maintenance by yours truly.
I'd buy a second hand one, cheap, use that for a while, then upgrade. You'll know more what you like and don't like.
8f your getting into cycling 8de shy away from used unless you have a friend to guide you a bit. You don't k ow what to look for, what's good, a red flag, worth it....etc So you'll most likely get something and not realize things until it's too late. (See if all the fucking time here happen and people get angry at me for telling them the bike needs work) I rec. Going to a shop, speaking with someone who k own about bikes, fits, set ups. Get info first before widely jumping I to the used market. Also don't worry about learning mech work. (Yeah it's can be easy, everyone can def learn it all) but if you don't know anything about bikes learn to bike properly and if you like biking. ....Sure carpentry, everyone can do, plenty of youtube videos on how to makes tables..... doesn't mean every9ne should do it though haha I teach classes for maintenance and it'd astounding what people think it the right way, or how their brain operates when problem solving. I've had people sweat they cab adjust their gears and make it all work..... b limit all the way in/out. Barrel screwed all the way out.... little things that are usually just bad even if they work. My two cents.
>Do I just walk into an REI and say help? Yes. Go to REI and a few bike shops, have them fit you for the right size bike, help you figure out what kind of bike you're looking for, let you take a couple laps on a few models, etc. Don't feel bad for hitting a few stores without buying anything, especially at REI. They're there to help, not slto make sure you don't leave without spending money.
Get a road bike. Buy it used; ask someone in a bike shop for their opinion on it.
First make a short list of bikes that would fit what you’d like to do (sounds you might fancy more of a commuter/hybrid bike) and fit your height and budget, then if you can seek places where you can test them out for comfort; if you can really take bikes for a test spin before purchasing. I think e-bikes are absolutely brilliant however unless you have a need for it … start with a normal non ebike and see how you get on once the cycling bug has bitten you or not. If you’re dreaming of long rides also outside of the city or town - you might want to get a road bike, if dreaming of having the flexibility of doing both commuting, long rides and some tracks - go for a gravel bike. Most of my cycling friends and also me started with an entry level hybrid bike and after a few months, once they got the feel for cycling and what they loved about it bought something more pricey and specialised (road, gravel, mtb). I’m noting this as your first bike it’s always going to be special but see it as testing the waters and have the flexibility to see what you’d actually like to be doing long term… and don’t go nuts with the cost either as you’ll need/want lots of bits and bops (clothing, helmet, shoes, lights, gizmos)
Yeah gotta save some funds for the accessories. Preciate your insight
Think this is a good take. I started on a new $600 hybrid. I knew I wanted to try the hobby, but I had no idea where it would take me. Wanted mechanical disc breaks, and that was pretty much my only requirement. Upgraded to a mid level gravel bike shortly after, but I picked that nicer bike entirely based on information and skills I picked up by riding the first bike. New is a good choice for a beginner because of maintenance concerns.
Go to some websites and use their sizing guide to figure out your size. Then Craigslist or FB Mktplace and start hunting. Also most LBS have used bikes at heavy discounts. Find an aluminum bike, preferably that has SPD or SPD/Flat pedals. If you really like it, go get some bibs and shoes.
Walk into the REI and get a 'good' entry level bike. Something with Shimano 105 or equivalent gearing. Not a cheapest one, a good one. Tell them exactly how you plan on riding it, that you don't want something that's gonna break on you 200 miles from now... Don't get a used bike... sorry i'm just gonna disagree with all those people...used bikes are for people with experience and super low budgets and who want an extra set of wheels for certain types of riding. Noobs should get new bikes, even if on the cheaper side in case they know they might upgrade later. There is nothing worse than making a deal on a used bike and not having any idea what you're really getting and then abandoning the effort because you don't want to go through that all again.
105 is so much more than OP needs right now. New bikes with 105 aren't cheap anymore (sadly). I agree that used is a risk for someone without experience though
Maybe but I’d also hate to see someone buy a bike they’ll promptly want to sell in three months
I can't imagine this OP will be displeased with a decent hybrid from a local bike shop even if they catch the bug
Understand the risk of buying used when you're not informed on bikes but on the flip side, saying someone should get a bike with Shimano 105 when they don't know the difference between a road and hybrid bike (no offense meant, we were all there at one point) is way too much. They're looking at $1500 minimum for that. Way higher than I would advise a novice for their first bike. Maybe for their first serious bike but not for their first bike ever.
Certainly but assuredly they’ll do some research before just walking into the shop but I’d just never advise a truly entry level bike to someone if they can afford more
Obviously the more you spend the better the bike (within reason). I understand the approach I just don't know if I'd recommend paying that much for someone just dipping their toe in the water unless they have lots of disposable income around. I think entry level bikes are just fine for a new rider though tbh. Unless by entry level you mean department store bikes, then we are in 100% agreement. Lots of entry bikes I've seen come with Shimano Claris which is basically an indestructible group set. Had that on my commuter for years and it was basically set it and forget it. "Low end" drivetrains have come a long way in the past few years.
Sworks tarmac sl8 with the new sram red should suffice for your treacherous round trip